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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Aggressive Cat

12 replies

Purplebaker · 04/03/2021 23:21

Hello,
We re-homed a cat about a month ago. He is approximately 12 months old and we are his third home - through personal and home circumstances of his previous owners, no fault of his own.

He has been fairly nervous, but I thought he was settling in. We have given him his space to get used to the house, he has the same bedding, scratching post, cat tower, litter tray (which he used immediately after arrival) that he had in his previous home. It had helped that we have been working from home so he has had some company and got used to the noises of the house. He gets played with, he has fishing rod type toys, balls, laser pen, tunnels, hiding places in various parts of the house.

He is unvaccinated and has not been neutered yet as the vet is unwilling to carry out the routine procedures during lockdown. He is an indoor cat and always has been.

He was settling in well, he is affectionate and cheeky, would come and sit on knees etc but suddenly today has become very aggressive. This has went on all day. He napped in the afternoon continued the same behaviour when he woke. Getting out his bed purely to attack one of us with claws and teeth while screeching at the same time. It's scary! Or suddenly going from sitting on the floor calming to attacking someone while making an awful noise. We are reacting calmly, walking away and leaving him alone until he calms down. He also seems more nervous today, jumping at any noise or movement, totally alert and nervy, running away to hide which he had stopped doing.

I just wondered if anyone had any advice. Reading through some of the other threads, I'm going to get a Feliway (?) diffuser tomorrow as I saw people had recommended them. I know there are lots of experienced cat owners here and I would appreciate any help please.

OP posts:
TaraR2020 · 05/03/2021 01:40

Poor itty sounds like he's had a tough time.

Could be several reasons:

Sometimes cats are just moody and having a bad day,

Could be in pain - if he's bad tempered again tomorrow, id see if vet can give him the once over

May have been unsettled or freaked out by something

May have become overwhelmed or overstimulated and just need some space

Had a few rescues, Feliway is a good idea, I'd also make sure he has his own quiet room for the time being. Generally do this for at least a few weeks or until cat has fully settled in.

Walking away and leaving him alone is the right way to react and if a vet check shows he is physically OK then I'd just give him extra space and some peace and quiet.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 05/03/2021 07:30

He needs to be neutered.

If your local vet won't do it then find one who will. Our male kitten was neutered last week so some vets will do it.

Male tom cats are full of hormones and I suspect he may also want to get out and roam.

Ring round the vets and get him vaccinated and neutered - he's too old to be left entire.

freckles20 · 05/03/2021 07:48

Without seeing the episodes it's hard to say what's going on. Leaving him alone when he's in this mood is the right approach. At the same time when he's calmer try to observe him for signs of pain.

The fact that he is seeking someone out to 'attack' suggests to me that he's looking for an outlet for play that tips into frustration.

He really needs to be neutered. It's a welfare issue, and if he was allowed outside it would be come even more critical. Many vets will help in this situation so as another poster suggested I think you should find another vet, or contact a local cat rescue charity and ask their advice.

Purplebaker · 05/03/2021 07:52

Thank you for the advice.

I will be phoning the vet as soon as it opens today to get him checked over for any illness or pain. I will ask again about the neutering and phone round other vets if they still refuse.

OP posts:
sunflowersandbuttercups · 05/03/2021 08:00

I'm sure you'll find someone willing to do it.

There's no good reason to leave a male cat unneutered and I'm pretty shocked at your vets attitude tbh. It's absolutely a vital procedure - it's not like male dogs who can be left entire for life.

Best of luck!

Champagneandmonstermunch · 05/03/2021 08:06

I'd agree you need to get back to the vets and get him neutered. I've had two cats done, one in the first lockdown, and one this time round. The vet just had an arrangement that you left the cat in their porch and they collected from there, so no contact necessary. Any communication happened in the car park. There is no excuse for them not to do it at all.

Downthefarm · 05/03/2021 08:58

All the vets round here are neutering. Try a new vet, perhaps?

Purplebaker · 05/03/2021 13:56

Just had a phone appointment with the vet and am taking him in for an examination incase of any pain later on today.
Vet will then make appointment for the castration.

Thank you for all the advice.

OP posts:
sunflowersandbuttercups · 05/03/2021 14:20

@Purplebaker

Just had a phone appointment with the vet and am taking him in for an examination incase of any pain later on today. Vet will then make appointment for the castration.

Thank you for all the advice.

That's awesome news :)
TaraR2020 · 05/03/2021 14:45

Brilliant - I missed the bit about him not being neutered, glad its getting sorted!

Purplebaker · 27/03/2021 12:17

Hello,

This is a wee update incase anyone else has the same issues and like me, searched for advice.

Our cat was neutered last week, and the difference is amazing. Was like someone had flipped a switch! Totally different cat, the aggression has vanished, and he is back to being the affectionate, cheeky wee rascal that he was. Needing to be neutering was definitely the problem.

Thanks again for all the advice I received. It was very much appreciated. Smile

OP posts:
TaraR2020 · 27/03/2021 14:11

Great news! So glad to hear he's back to being his happy self!

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